Introducing one of our volunteer dance reviewers, Esme Rowe:
Hi, my name is Esme Rowe, and my nickname is Mimi. I am 12 years old and I love to dance, sing, act, play the piano and do calligraphy. I dance at Totnes School of Dance and I go to KEVICC’s in Totnes. When I am older I would love to go to Dance College but this won’t be until I am 16. I have two favourite styles of dance these are lyrical and contemporary. I would love to have the opportunity to review Devon dance shows because I love to watch dance shows and see different styles, to be able to try and copy them in my dance.

Review of The Way I Look | O+O, by Esme Rowe
Sunday 29 October 2017 at Exeter Phoenix
On walking through the door to take my seat, the performers were already on the stage area with only a few props. They were humming sounds, almost making music.
The seven actors all had more than one character to play, there were no costumes, just people playing people. The main character Sam, has a birth-mark on her face which she has named Mark. Sam along with Mark had always been protected by her parents and there were some funny real-life situations as Sam grew up. She was only just ready to talk to people about Mark, and the bus story was funny with real life experiences being used. Each performer slips easily into Sam’s story with their own particular style and character experience, but each always seems comfortably in agreement with the others.
I liked that there was comedy all the way throughout the whole piece. The use of picture frames draws you into the characters. It all came across very well to the audience. I liked the way it was about a real-life thing. I really enjoyed ‘The Way I Look’ and feel that this could be shown at schools to educate children about how people feel, being staring at and called names.
Top Image: O+O Performance Collective